October 2002 Contents

This is our October cover.

In this issue

Response to God

Ideas have consequences, writes Pastor General Joseph Tkach. The way we think about God affects the way we respond to him. In other words, our theology affects the way we live. Page 6.

Reconciliation

"This work of reconciliation is what the Christian church should be doing," declared John Paul Eddy to 46 ministers, chapter leaders and support staff meeting in Dallas, Texas, Aug. 9 to 11.

Dr. Eddy is professor emeritus at the University of North Texas and an advisory council member of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries. Page 9.

Getting real

Most of us go to great lengths to look good in the eyes of others, writes J. Michael Feazell, but according to Jesus, it is only when we honestly see ourselves as we really are that we can become who God has made us to be. Page 10.

Bangladesh

John Biswas, director of the Bengali Evangelical Association, and his team have had to be creative to look for effective avenues whereby they can bring Christ to their neighbors in a way that can be sustained.

The idea is to connect with Hindu and Muslim Bangladeshis in such a way that they can see for themselves the love of God at work in their midst. Page 12.

Youth ministry

Summer Educational Program (SEP) camps took place in Washington, Connecticut and Saskatchewan in August.

Campers at each of the camps either made first-time commitments to Christ and were baptized or recommitted their lives to Christ. Pages 16 to 18.

Property sale

September was a busy month for the property sale team, writes Mat Morgan.

We worked diligently on the selection of a master planner-architect and met with interested citizens, Pasadena city staff and political representatives as part of an active listening campaign. Page 20.

Financial report

August contributions were just over $1.62 million, reports controller Ronald Kelly. That’s within about $30,000 of the August 2001 income. Page 24.

Bible Study

The angel announced that Mary would have a child, the Son of God, the son of David, a ruler forever, writes Michael Morrison in his Bible Study "Announcing the King." What a breathtaking announcement! Page 25.

Connecting & Bonding

The fifth annual Connecting and Bonding conference took place in Los Angeles, Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, writes Marge Friddle.

The conference gives elders’ wives a support system and brings them together for encouragement and caring. Page 28.

Sept. 11 memorial services

Patriot Day 2002
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

On this first observance of Patriot Day, we remember and honor those who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We will not forget the events of that terrible morning nor will we forget how Americans responded in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in the skies over Pennsylvania—with heroism and selflessness; with compassion and courage; and with prayer and hope. We will always remember our collective obligation to ensure that justice is done, that freedom prevails, and that the principles upon which our nation was founded endure....

Those whom we lost last September 11 will forever hold a cherished place in our hearts and in the history of our nation. As we mark the first anniversary of that tragic day, we remember their sacrifice; and we commit ourselves to honoring their memory by pursuing peace and justice in the world and security at home. By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has authorized and requested the President to designate September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2002, as Patriot Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services and candlelight vigils....

GEORGE W. BUSH

 

By Joseph Tkach

PASADENA—Today is the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Memorials are being conducted around the country this week to remember and honor those who were murdered a year ago in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and on United Airlines Flight 93.

We join with all Americans and concerned citizens of the world in sympathy for the families and friends of victims, offering our prayers for God’s hand of comfort and peace. We pray also for the leaders of our country and for success in the efforts to break the power of the terrorist networks and bring the guilty to justice, giving thanks for the sacrifices and devotion of all those who have dedicated themselves to the preservation of safety, peace and order.

Try to imagine no more sin and no more death. No more tears. No more pain. That is what God has done for humanity through Jesus Christ. Even as we proclaim God’s amazing grace in the midst of our sinful, painful, tearful and deadly world, we long in joyful faith for the consummation of all that God has promised in Christ.

Let us not forget what lies ahead. We seek the joy and peace of the kingdom of God. All our celebrations and festivals are reminders of the unquenchable love of God for us. In our worship of God and celebration of his love expressed toward us in Jesus Christ, we catch a glimpse, like Moses, of the glory and wonder that is our God: "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6).

During our weekly chapel service in Pasadena I read from the presidential proclamation (see box) in which President George W. Bush designated Sept. 11 as Patriot Day.

Dan Rogers spoke about being a member of the Presidential Prayer Team in which he has committed to pray daily for President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and members of the Cabinet. For more information visit their web site at www.presidentialprayerteam.org

Following are how some of our pastors and congregations marked this day.
  Dan Rogers

It was a day of remembrance that will not soon be forgotten. I began the day like many Americans, by observing the moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. along with the television coverage.

Soon afterward, I began the journey by bus into Manhattan. Even that was unusual on this day as we sailed through the toll at the Lincoln tunnel without any delay.

After another short ride on the subway, there I was with throngs of people at Ground Zero. From the government leaders present to the girl sitting in the middle of the sidewalk with a sign that read, "I give hugs," it seemed that most had come not only to grieve and remember—but also to reach out and help.

One of the unsung heroes of this past year has been the management of the Regent Hotel on Wall Street. They provided a free luncheon today for the families and friends of victims. They have opened the doors to the ballroom many times this last year to provide rest and food for the New York fire and police departments and families of the victims. As a member of the Northeast Clergy Group, I had been asked to be there to help provide comfort and prayer for the families.

On the way, I stopped briefly to listen to Gov. George Pataki and former Mayor Rudolph Guiliani speak just before the delayed opening of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street.

About 600 people (families and friends of the victims) came in and out of the Regent Hotel during the afternoon. We laughed, we cried, we prayed together. Mr. Guiliani also stopped in to speak to the group. I am not sure who was helped most by my presence. I know that it helped me a great deal to be there and deal with the deep feelings that I was still experiencing.

After the luncheon I stopped at Federal Hall on Wall Street. It was here that George Washington was inaugurated as president in 1789. This was also the birthplace of the Bill of Rights and the scene of a special joint meeting of Congress, Monday, Sept. 9, 2002.

It seemed fitting on this day to stop in to remember and celebrate freedom.

At 4 p.m., I found that I had a little time before the next event so I decided to see if I could get around Ground Zero and visit the American Express building, where my son, Stephen, had formerly worked. Not everything has reopened yet, but progress is being made. Soon the noonday concerts, a tradition in the atrium, will start again.

I called Stephen, now in Chicago, to let him know that his favorite restaurant had reopened. We will visit there together soon.

The next event was the main event for the Christian community in New York—"A Tribute to Grace and Hope" in Madison Square Garden. It was hard to estimate the crowd, and I didn’t get an official count yet, but it was certainly a good turnout.

More than 400 congregations joined together to bring seekers to this event. Performances were given by popular artists Steven Curtis Chapman, Fred Hammond, Third Day and Marcus Witt as well as others. Speakers included A.N. Bernard, Tom Mahairas and Marcos Rivera. The altar call was given by Steve Jamison of Seattle, Washington.

Testimonies were received from several stars in the sports community (Allan Houston and Charlie Ward) as well as from victims’ family members.

Gov. Pataki of New York spoke of the trememdous love that New Yorkers had shown through this time of tragedy. Gov. James E. McGreevey of New Jersey gave a stirring message of hope in God and Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the focus. He is the reason for grace. He is the reason for hope.

It was a day of remembrance I shall never forget.

A group of us from the 24-7 Community Church met in Newark, New Jersey, Penn Station at 6 pm. We took the trip over to Madison Square Garden via the New Jersey Transit train to attend the main event "A Tribute to Grace and Hope" at a packed Madison Square Garden.

As Dan Bierer mentioned above, Jesus was the focus. It was amazing to see how the Holy Spirit was at work through the guest speakers, entertainers, dignitaries and professional athletes. It was a night to remember.

The Batavia Christian Fellowship of the Worldwide Church of God, along with the Salvation Army and several other area churches, joined in Christian unity in Batavia to remember the victims of last year’s terrorist attacks and to praise our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Charlie Piscitello of the Batavia Christian Fellowship teamed with Major Leonard Boynton of the Salvation Army Batavia Corps to reflect on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and to invite the community to come together to worship and honor Jesus.

The service included words of encouragement from Scripture offered by Glen Bloom, the youth pastor from Elba Baptist church.

Mr. Piscitello mentioned that he was disappointed that even national Christian leaders involved in commemorative services broadcast throughout the day had not mentioned Jesus’ name even in their prayers. He proclaimed that although "as a nation we were sucker-punched last year, those who survived did so by the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is worthy to be praised!"

Pastor Richard Rose of the First Baptist Church in Batavia remembered growing up on Long Island, with the Twin Towers indelibly imprinted in his memory. "It was bizarre to be standing there and seeing the New York City skyline and not see the Towers," Mr. Rose said.

Pastor Ruth Stinson of the Batavia House of God encouraged all to faithfully pray for God’s mercy, trusting in his faithfulness to provide for us.

Judi Piscitello, Pastor Charlie’s wife, sang "Here I Am, Lord," encouraging all to serve Jesus with all of their hearts, souls, minds and strength.

Leading a candle-lighting ceremony, Mrs. Piscitello said: "We light a candle in remembrance of all those who suffered and died on Sept. 11, 2001. We light a candle to remember those who still live and who suffer because of the events of that day."

Offerings were donated to the area Salvation Army Disaster Team, of which many of the Batavia Christian Fellowship are members.

Hurricane Gustav threatened the success of our service of remembrance in Concord, New Hampshire, but 10 minutes before the service, the winds died and the rain stopped.

The WCG in New Hampshire had a major part in the service. When I approached the other pastors who form our Evangelical Fellowship with the idea of a joint memorial service we all agreed to pool our resources, but they asked me to manage the event.

I was able to book Eagle Square, an amphitheater in the middle of Concord across from the State Capitol. The message was given by Gordon McDonald, who was part of the rescue effort at Ground Zero. Police, fire and emergency medical services were represented and honored by the 500 people who attended the event.

Thom Friedrich, our WCG worship leader, sang of Jesus being there in times of trouble, and we concluded the evening with a piper playing "Amazing Grace."

When I think of Sept. 11 now I will remember not just the Twin Towers but also that Christians were able to work together to honor our Maker and preach about the hope of the future.

On Tuesday evening, Sept. 10, New Life Christian Fellowship was host for a 9-11 memorial service at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis.

The evening began with the singing of "God Bless America" and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. A video presentation was then shown about Father Michael Judge, a Franciscan priest and Catholic chaplain to the New York City Fire Department. The video portrayed how Father Michael gave his life Sept. 11 while giving hope, comfort and last rites to the dead and dying at the World Trade Center.

Next, Pastor David Perry presented a message titled: "Amidst Terror, Tragedy and Tears—the Tower Still Stands." In it, he encouraged everyone that Jesus Christ, the strong tower that still stands, can help all people cope with terror, tragedy and tears. Our job as Christians is to be "Father Michaels" to others, giving them comfort and hope through Christ, our strong tower.

Another video, by Christian author Crawford Loritts, honored the New York City firefighters who gave their lives to save others.

The evening concluded with worship and a benediction by Richard Roos, pastor of St. Philip’s.

Each person who attended was given a booklet titled "Fallen, but Not Forgotten" (a gift from www.911recovery.com), which helped answer questions "Where was God when 9-11 happened?" and "Why didn’t God intervene for the victims?"

The Pikeville, Kentucky, congregation was the driving force and organization behind a Sept. 11 remembrance service.

The community event took place in the city park and involved people from nine churches. The program included the testimony of a World Trade Center survivor. Mike Stewart, a member of the pastoral team, welcomed the group and opened with prayer. The evening service was attended by more than 260 people. Debby Bailey.

GRACE AND HOPE—
New Jersey members attend event
at Madison Square Garden.
[Photo by Lawrence Evans]

PIKEVILLE, KENTUCKY—Mike Stewart
speaks at Sept. 11 remembrance service
in Pikeville. [Photo by Debby Bailey]

I am still rejoicing after being home for about three weeks after the summer festival in Atlanta, Georgia (September WN).

I want to say thank you to Allan Barr and his wife, Edna, and the other ministers who helped make this festival inspiring and successful.

It was inspiring to hear from another part of the Body of Christ, Claude King. I thank him for helping me see more clearly the final commandment Jesus gave: "Go and make disciples."

Thank you Mike Feazell for helping me understand how we should treat a brother when he returns to us. Thank you Tammy Tkach for encouraging me to memorize scriptures and use them in prayer.

Thank you Dan Rogers for helping us see that Jesus Christ will be there for us despite all that we go through. Thank you Joseph Tkach for talking about what the Bible says about hell. Thank you Randal Dick for helping me understand that this is a worldwide church and to see what Jesus Christ is doing all over the world.

Thank you Joyce Catherwood for helping me see more clearly what the mother of Jesus must have experienced in Jesus’ last hours. Thank you Carn Catherwood for helping us understand why we should take communion.

Thank you Ron Kelly for helping me understand why I should have a commitment to this church.

In 1 Timothy 2:4 it says that God "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." I thank God that he is using the Worldwide Church of God to help accomplish this. I thank Mr. Albrecht for bringing out how important our relationship with Jesus Christ should be.

God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit blessed this festival. I also want to thank all of those who helped organize the music.

Rosetta Andrews

Battle Creek, Michigan

The article by Ira Thompson concerning Memorial Day (August WN) gave me a glad heart in feeling the different approach the church has begun taking these last few years on such things as military issues, as well as many other areas.

I so much appreciate those who come forward to speak out about those things that not long ago were looked at in a negative fashion, ignored or swept under the rug.

I seldom miss writing articles for my local paper either on Memorial Day or on Veterans Day. It seems that this is the least that I can do in remembrance and respect for the many who gave their lives, often enduring much pain and anguish before the welcome peacefulness of death so the rest of us can experience the joys of life. I liked the article and would hope more folks will continue to address such things.

Leith Cunningham

Fife Lake, Michigan

I’m writing to let you know how much I appreciate Sandy Blank’s piece "Acts 4:24-30: How Shall We Pray? in the July WN.

At a time when Satan is heating up his attacks on our society, it is a sad fact that so many Christians sit on their hands and do not pursue God’s best in their lives. Instead of a boldness to demonstrate Christ’s power through us, what has become post-modern Christianity is nothing more than a yawning silence.

If we refuse to deny everything in our lives we cannot be disciples of Christ. If we refuse to become disciples, how can we teach others to become the disciples Christ wants? God wants to be God through us. The question is, Will we allow it?

Dan Murphy

Adams, Tennessee

I have just received the August WN, and I read and read again Joseph Tkach’s article "Living the Gospel." Sincerely it is one of the best articles I have read because it shows in few but inspired words what it is to be a Christian. It is an article not to be recycled but to be meditated on from time to time. Also "The Power of Intent" by Randal Dick is a gem.

Ruben Gerardo

Cochabamba, Bolivia

Dear Missing in Action Christian:

Where are you? Some of you have been missing for more than seven years. We are your family and we want you to know that we miss you. We long for you to return to the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. There are many reasons why you have been M.I.A.—anger, hurt, disappointment, confusion, distrust. But time is short. Life is too short. It is time for you to come back home.

I’m not talking to or searching for those who have joined other church fellowships. You are now part of another troop of God’s army, fighting for the kingdom in another part of town. Carry on, wherever Christ has placed you to advance his kingdom.

No, I’m looking for those sitting on the sidelines, home alone, who know in your hearts that you were called by our Lord to a mission greater than yourselves. We, your fellow Christian soldiers, long for you to put your armor back on and return to the front. We need you. This is not the time (Hebrews 10:25) to withdraw from your comrades or to hide from the Captain of our salvation.

We are not as strong without you (1 Corinthians 12:26). We cannot accomplish as much or move as fast for our Lord as we could if you returned. Some of you say you are disillusioned with Christianity or organized religion. We remind you that the church wasn’t our idea—Jesus started it (Matthew 16:18). He is the head and the church is his Body. Jesus leads his church and only through working together do we grow up to be like him and build his kingdom (Ephesians 4:11-16).

It was always in God’s plan to build a family of believers who would work and play together, encourage one another, learn from one another and provide a system of checks and balances, so that Christ would be glorified in the world. It has always taken faith for Christians to worship a perfect Lord, and yet work with imperfect human beings, clay pots (2 Corinthians 4:6-12), that God is transforming into a masterpiece. But in Christ we are reborn and created to do good works.

We are moving ahead, trying to save the lost that Jesus came to save. Come and help us share the good news with others. The exalted Lord Jesus told the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:4-5: "I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first" (New Living Translation).

We implore you to return to your first love—Jesus. He has died for you and me, and now lives to bring us to glory (Romans 5:10; Hebrews 2:10).

There is no biblical support for an independent Christian. Nowhere in Scripture are we told: "You don’t need to be part of the body to be a Christian." That is a modern and mistaken concept. Jesus calls us and all Christians not only to believe in him, but to belong to the Body that he began. His Body has a marvelous purpose for its existence. When Christians gather together to worship he has promised to be with us in a special way: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20).

A minister decided to visit a member who had stopped attending. It was a chilly evening, and the pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair by the fireplace, and waited.

After greeting the man, the minister said nothing, but sat down and looked silently at the fire. After what must have been five long quiet minutes, he took the fire tongs, picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth. Then he sat back silent. The host watched in quiet fascination. The single ember’s flame diminished, glowed for a moment, but then its fire was no more, and it was cold and dead.

As the minister stood up to leave, the host said: "Thank you so much for your visit—and especially for your fiery sermon. I shall be at church next week."

Dear friends in the Lord, we miss you. We love you. There is a hole that only you can fill. Come back and reclaim your place in the Body. It is what you were born for. Time is short. Don’t let one more week go by. Come back to church. We’ll look for you. We’ll welcome you home with open arms. We’ll rejoice that you are no longer missing in action.

A shepherd looking for some of his sheep, and a brother in Christ.

Dennis Pelley

Pasadena

Something worth thinking about...
By Joseph Tkach

Our response to God

Ideas have consequences. The way we think about God affects the way we respond to him. In other words, our theology affects the way we live.

Some people think theology is dull and irrelevant, but perhaps that is because they think God is dull and irrelevant; they would rather get on with their life without dragging God into the discussion.

Everyone has a theology, whether they know it or not. They have some concepts of what God is like. They may think he is distant and unconcerned, or harsh and angry, or even that he doesn’t exist at all.

All these ideas affect the way we live. If we believe God is distant and unconcerned, for example, we may be angry because we are suffering from the sins of other people, and God doesn’t seem to care.

We may need help, but God doesn’t seem to answer our cries for help. Or we may indulge our baser desires or take advantage of others with impunity, thinking God doesn’t care one way or the other.

My point is that the way we think about God affects the way we live. This is implied throughout the Bible, which repeatedly connects doctrine and behavior.

God cares about us, Jesus said, so we should not worry. Worry comes from a lack of faith that God is good, powerful, merciful and will not cease to love us and do what is good and right for us. If we don’t trust God, we may think that he doesn’t care, or that he doesn’t have the power to take care of us, or that he is harsh, unforgiving or unpredictable toward us.

But when we trust in God, we do not worry even when bad things happen to us. We are confident that God is faithful to us, suffering with us, holding us, and that he will use even our pain to make us stronger and bless us.

He works all things, even bad things, for good. He brings light out of our darkness. Our belief about God’s power and love affects the way we react to the situations we face.

Paul uses a similar kind of logic in his letters. He explains that we are saved by grace through the work of Jesus our Savior, and then he writes, Therefore we should be living sacrifices, set apart to do God’s will, putting off the old self and putting on the new, acting like the new people that God has declared us to be. In other words, our theology should affect the way we live.

The book of Hebrews uses similar logic at several points. After explaining a concept, the author says, Therefore let us hold fast to our confession, therefore let us approach the throne with confidence, therefore let us encourage one another. He sees a close connection between ideas and consequences, between doctrine and practice.

Since the way we think about God affects the way we live, we want to have the best understanding of God we can. If we think of God as a powerful physical being, then we will tend to focus on physical life, on external behavior, on a future based on physical things. We will tend to neglect spiritual qualities such as grace and love, and give little attention to concepts such as the heavenly and the eternal.

On the other hand, when we think of God as eternal and triune, then we see a God for whom relationships are essential to his very being, for whom love is essential, a God who gives himself when he gives his Son, a God who lives within us when his Spirit is in us.

The triune God is a God who has fellowship with us directly, not through intermediaries. In contrast, a God who is only Father, but not Father, Son and Holy Spirit, unity in trinity, is more likely to be seen as aloof, distant, legalistic, stressing law rather than mercy. This is just how many people view God. If such a God sent his Son to die on the cross, he would be sending another being to satiate his angry judgment, not taking humanity into his own being and redeeming it through union with his own sinless Son, with whom he, with the Spirit, is One God.

It is not my intention here to discuss the nature of God in detail. We have already published quite a bit of material on that, and it is on our website (www.wcg.org/lit/God). More recently, Mike Morrison wrote an article summarizing it and listing a number of books for further study ("Introduction to God," May 2001 WN).

He highlighted two qualities of God—his greatness and his goodness. God always uses his enormous power to further his covenant of love and grace toward his people. He is gentle, loving, slow to anger and full of mercy.

Here, I want to focus on the "so what" question. How is this relevant to us? What difference does it make in our lives? How do we respond to a God who is simultaneously powerful and gentle?

I would like to highlight two ways in which we respond to God. The first is trust. When we realize that God has all power to do anything he wants, and that he always uses it for the good of humanity, then we can have absolute confidence that we are in good hands.

He has both the ability and the covenanted purpose to work all things, including all our rebellion, hatred and betrayal against him and one another, toward our redemption and glorification in Jesus Christ. He is completely trustworthy—worthy of our trust.

When we are in the midst of trials, sickness, suffering and even dying, we can be confident that God is still with us, that he cares for us, that he has everything under control. It may not look like it, and we certainly do not feel in control, but we can be confident that God isn’t caught off guard. He can and does redeem any situation, any misfortune, for our good.

We need never doubt God’s love for us. "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us" (1 John 3:16). The God who did not spare his own Son can be counted on to give us through his Son everything we need for eternal happiness.

God did not send somebody else: The Son of God, essential to the Godhead, became human so that he could die for us and rise again for us (Hebrews 2:14).

We were redeemed not by the blood of animals, not by the blood of a very good man, but by the blood of the God who became human.

We can be confident that he loves us. Every time we take communion, we are reminded of the extent of his love for us—both of his death wherein we are forgiven, and his resurrection wherein we are given union with him and presented holy and blameless to God. He has earned our trust.

"God is faithful," Paul tells us. "He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear" (1 Corinthians 10:13). "The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one" (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Even "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful" (2 Timothy 2:13). He is not going to change his mind about wanting us, about calling us, about being merciful to us. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23).

He has made a commitment to us, a covenant with us, to redeem us, to give us eternal life, to love us forever. He will not be without us. He is trustworthy, but how do we respond to him? Do we worry? Do we struggle to be worthy of his love? Or do we trust him?

We need never doubt God’s power, either. This is shown in the resurrection of Jesus from death. This is the God who has power over death itself, power over all the beings he created, power over all other powers (Colossians 2:15). He triumphed over all things through the cross, and this is demonstrated through his resurrection. Death could not hold him, for he is the author of life (Acts 3:15).

The same power that raised Jesus from death will also give immortal life to us (Romans 8:11). We can trust that he has the power, and the desire, to fulfill all his promises toward us. We can trust him with everything—and that’s a good thing, since it is foolish to trust in anything else.

Of ourselves, we will fail. Left to itself, even the sun will fail. Our only hope is in a God who has power greater than the sun, greater than the universe, more faithful than time and space, full of love and faithfulness toward us. We have that sure hope in Jesus our Savior.

We also respond to God with worship, because worship is simply giving God what is fitting. He is praiseworthy, not only for his power but also for his gentleness. Raw power is neither good nor bad, neither to be praised in itself or condemned in itself. Dictators have power, volcanoes have power and bacteria have power, but we do not praise such power. Power is praiseworthy only when it is used in a good way, in a way that helps others.

God is love, and all that he does is done in love. This is praiseworthy. We praise love even on a human level, don’t we? We praise people who give their lives to help others. They did not have enough power to save their own lives, but what power they had they used to help others, and that is praiseworthy. In contrast, we criticize people who had the power to help but refused to do it. Goodness is more praiseworthy than greatness is, and God is both good and great.

Praise deepens the bond of love between us and God. God’s love for us is never diminished, but ours for him often grows weak. In praise, we rehearse his love for us and, in effect, fan the fire of love for him that the Spirit has started within us. It is good for us to remember and rehearse how wonderful God is, for that strengthens us in Christ and increases our motivation to be like him in his goodness, which increases our joy.

We were made for the purpose of praising God, of giving him glory and honor, and the better we are in harmony with his purpose for life, the greater joy will be ours. Life is more satisfying when we do what we were made to do: to honor God. We do that not only in worship, but also in the way we live every day. We honor God when we serve other people using the gifts God has given us. We honor God when we forgive instead of seeking revenge.

We honor God and show that he is great when we shape our lives around him, when we value his loving word to us more than the ways of the world. We honor God when we look to Scripture instead of society, when we meet our obligations and responsibilities to others instead of shirking them.

Worship is a way of life. We offer our bodies and minds as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2). We worship God when we share the gospel of his Son (Romans 15:16).

We worship God when we give financial offerings (Philippians 4:18). We worship God when we help other human beings (Hebrews 13:16). We say that he is worthy, worth our time and attention and allegiance. We praise his power, and his patience. We praise his glory, and his humility in becoming one of us for our sakes. We praise his righteousness, and his mercy. We praise him for the way he really is.

This is what we were made for, to declare God’s praises (1 Peter 2:9). Life works best if we live the way God intended us to. And this is our reasonable service. It is simply right that we praise the One who created us, the One who died and rose to save us and give us life eternal, the One who works even now to help us become more like him. We owe him our allegiance, and owe him our love.

We were made to praise God. John was given a vision of our future: "I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’ " (Revelation 5:13).

This is the right response: awe at the awesome, honor for the honorable, praise for the praiseworthy, allegiance to the trustworthy. That’s something worth thinking about.

SISTINE CHAPEL—Creation of stars
and planets, by Michelangelo.

INSTRUMENTAL WORSHIP
[Artwork by Ken Tunell]

'Mobilizing the Future':
Reconciliation leaders
meet in Dallas

By Neil Earle

DALLAS, Texas—"This work of reconciliation is what the Christian church should be doing," declared John Paul Eddy to 46 ministers, chapter leaders and support staff who met at the Omni Parkwest Hotel in Dallas, Aug. 9 to 11.

Dr. Eddy, professor emeritus at the University of North Texas and an advisory council member of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries, added, "We all need to be breaking the circuit of sin in this society."

"We now have 23 chapter leaders around the globe," Curtis May, ORM director, told the gathering.

Participants came from as far away as County Cork, Ireland; Johannesburg, South Africa; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; and from most regions of the United States.

"We take our mandate from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 pure and simple," which reads in part, "all this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation," said Mr. May. In addition to interactive discussion, delegates heard from Mr. Albrecht by video on the subject "Why Reconciliation?"

Steve Brown, pastor of the Clearwater, Florida, church, and a chapter leader, led a workshop on the subject of privilege. He concluded with moving testimonials from the major ethnic groups of what they needed from each other.

This discussion opened up a spirit of candor among the participants that prevailed throughout the rest of the conference.

"We have been handed the gift of ethnic diversity as a pot of gold," said Mr. May, "and not everyone is aware of it. By healing our own internal hurts we will be much more effective in evangelizing the rest of the world."

On Saturday morning, Aug. 10, Dr. Eddy took reconciliation to a broader context. He reminded the delegates of how Americans were perceived in the rest of the world and how much work there was to do in reconciling that image with the facts.

Barbara Hacker, from the Center for the Healing of Racism, continued that theme, saluting the work of ORM and asking: "What is the spiritual quality needed to solve all the problems of the world? It is forgiveness, above all. Jesus taught this very clearly."

Trish Clauson, wife of Arnold Clauson, pastor of the Dallas North and Sherman, Texas, churches, agreed. "We just can’t tell hurting and abused people to ‘move on, now.’ You can’t bury something like deep hurts unless those hurts are dead."

Cherry Steinwender, of the Center for the Healing of Racism, encouraged the proactive stance of ORM. "We need to look deep into the darkness to finish the work of dismantling racism. ORM is making it safe for people to heal."

In his talk, Carn Catherwood, associate director of ORM, described some of the early history of the WCG and noted that the church has been racially diverse almost from the beginning, but is only now beginning to capitalize on that gift.

Three new chapter leaders were commissioned: Mike Greider, pastor of Charleston and Huntington, West Virginia, and Paintsville, Kentucky, churches; Evelyne O’Callaghan Burkhard from County Cork, Ireland; and Marilyn Fall from the Phoenix, Arizona, church.

The conference ended with the Lord’s Supper conducted by chapter leaders Dan Bierer and Keith Brittain. Murdock "Doc" Gibbs and Angela McDonald provided worship and special music throughout the weekend. The delegates combined for a service with the Dallas Central congregation Sunday, Aug. 11.

"It’s said that time heals," concluded Christina Graham, Renton, Washington, chapter leader, "but that’s not necessarily true. It’s what you do with the time that allows for healing. Organizations such as ORM are effective in their use of time."

NEW CHAPTER LEADERS—From left:
Marilyn Fall, Phoenix, Arizona; Mike Greider,
Huntington, West Virginia; and Evelyne
O’Callaghan Burkhard, County Cork, Ireland.
[Photo by Christina Graham]

Getting Real

By J. Michael Feazell

Most of us go to great lengths to look good in the eyes of others, but according to Jesus, it is only when we honestly see ourselves as we really are that we can become who God has made us to be. Life has much more to offer than the frustrating rat race of "keeping up appearances."

The night Jesus was arrested, he spent some time telling the disciples about the Holy Spirit. He referred to the Holy Spirit with an Aramaic word that was translated into Greek as parakletos, a word conveying the sense of "advocate," "friend" or "supporter." Parakletos was used to describe, for example, a person who would stand beside you in court to support you and your cause, to speak up for you, to hearten you.

Jesus knew that things were about to get hard, not just for him, but also for those who would follow him. So he said to the 11 disciples, "I’ve told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he’s doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I’ve told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you’ll be well-warned and ready for them" (John 16:1-4a, Message paraphrase).

What is it that these persecutors did not understand about the Father? They did not understand that the Father loved the world so much that he would send his Son to save it from its sins. They did not understand the "mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God…. which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:9, 11). They didn’t understand that "in him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence" (verse 12).

Jesus went on: "I didn’t tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, ‘Where are you going?’ Instead, the longer I’ve talked, the sadder you’ve become. So let me say it again, this truth: It’s better for you that I leave. If I don’t leave, the Friend won’t come. But if I go, I’ll send him to you" (John 16:4b-7, The Message).

The disciples were sad because Jesus was leaving them. But what they didn’t yet understand was that his going to the Father would result not in their loss of him, but rather in their union with him and with the Father. How? Because he would send the Holy Spirit, the Friend, who would draw them into the eternal relationship of love that exists between the Father and the Son.

"When he comes," Jesus continued, "he’ll expose the error of the godless world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He’ll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted" (John 16:8-11, The Message).

How is the world wrong about sin? The world thinks sinners can atone for their sins by doing works of goodness. But here is the fascinating thing. Now that Jesus has come to forgive all sin and reconcile all things to God, the only kind of sin that can remain is the sin of not trusting in him who takes away all sin. The root of all sin is unbelief in God’s own atonement for human sin through Jesus Christ.

How is the world wrong about righteousness? The world thinks of righteousness in terms of human virtue and goodness. But here is the fascinating thing. Now that the Son of God has lived a sinless human life and has been accepted by the Father as the perfect offering of humanity in sinful humanity’s place, righteousness can be defined only in terms of the gift of God, a gift rooted in Jesus Christ, who, in our place and as one of us, did everything his Father commanded him to do for our sakes.

How is the world wrong about judgment? The world thinks people who endure great suffering in this world are great sinners under God’s curse, and that people whose lives are abundant have been judged worthy and are under God’s favor. But here is the fascinating thing. Now that the Son of God has destroyed the works of the devil, the pioneer of sin, judgment can be defined only in terms of the condemnation of the god of this world, not in terms of the condemnation of the very people Jesus came to save.

But the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, would bring the truth about sin, righteousness and judgment. He would "take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you" (John 16:13-14, The Message).

Forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and deliverance from sin are all gifts of the Father to us through Jesus Christ, and we experience them only by trust in God’s Word of salvation, which he gives us by the Holy Spirit. In Christ, we are reconciled to the Father, partakers of Christ’s righteousness and of his union and communion with the Father.

In the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus illustrated the difference between the world’s view of sin, righteousness and judgment and the true view that the Spirit would lead us to see. The two men went up to the temple to pray, one a tax collector and the other a Pharisee. You can read the story. But take special notice of verse 9: Jesus told this story for the sake of those "who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else."

Such people don’t feel the need to pray for God’s mercy like the tax collector did. But it was the tax collector, the one who saw himself before God as he really was—a sinner in great need of mercy, who "went home justified before God" (verse 14). And think about this: The tax collector had to trust God with his life, didn’t he? He knew he deserved nothing, but he trusted God to be the way God says he is: "the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6).

When we go to the judgment seat of God, honestly confessing our sinfulness and asking for mercy, the Judge turns out to be the Defense Attorney who turns out to have taken our crimes on himself and then declared us innocent and set us free. That is why we live in the world as people who understand grace, mercy and compassion and who devote ourselves to extending these to others.

The Prodigal Son in the Luke 15 parable knew he needed mercy, and that is all he knew, so he went to ask for it. When he did, he found out that he had had it all along—but only now that he had come home, trusting his father to be merciful, was he able to start enjoying it.

In Micah 6, God gives his answer to what the Israelites should do in the wake of their sins. "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

To act justly requires an unselfish agenda—to do what is right without regard to what may or may not be in one’s personal best interest. We can do that when we trust God, because we believe God sees everything and makes everything right in the end.

This goes hand in hand with loving mercy (or kindness, as it can also be translated). James pointed out that mercy triumphs over justice (James 2:13). The kind of justice God is interested in is the kind that is subject to mercy. Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7), and "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13; 12:7).

To walk humbly with God means that one sees his or her need before God and accepts in faith God’s gift of mercy, which creates fellowship with God and with humanity. Another way of saying that is "repentance and faith," but for many people that phrase carries so much baggage that the real meaning is obscured.

To repent is to see our need for God’s mercy and turn to him in complete faith that whatever he does will be good and right. It is to rest in God, and in God alone.

This instruction in Micah goes hand in hand with what is called the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus told the disciples to pray, "Forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors." This is not a new form of legalism. It is, rather, a description of what life is like among those who are in Christ. People who cannot see their own condition of sinfulness, and therefore do not feel their own need for mercy, do not extend mercy to others. People who do understand the grace they have received from God, on the other hand, are not quick to hold a grudge or to withhold forgiveness. Because we are in Christ, we are forgivers and we trust God to forgive us.

When we pray, "Forgive us our debts," we do not ask as though God might not do it. In Christ, God has already forgiven us. Our asking is both a reminder of and a participation in the forgiveness we already have in Christ. In the same way, the prayer "as we forgive our debtors" is also a reminder of and a participation in our new life in Christ in which we forgive as we have been forgiven (compare Ephesians 4:32-5:1-2).

We can trust God to give us everything we need for life, godliness and salvation. Because he is the Judge, we have nothing to fear in the judgment. And more than that, God does what he does for us because it is his good pleasure to do so (Luke 12:32). He is for us.

We don’t have to be prisoners of "keeping up appearances." We don’t have to carry around anxiety about whether we will "make it into the kingdom." We can live carefree before God, casting all our anxieties, all our cares, upon him, because we know he cares for us (see 1 Peter 5:7).

With God, we can "get real." We can be perfectly honest. We don’t have to hide anything. We can unload all our sinfulness, all our failures, all our fears on the One who loves us and gave himself for us—and who makes all things new. Turn to God and trust in him!

Window on the World

From Randal Dick
Superintendent of Missions

Whatever happened
to Bangladesh?

You may have wondered what happened to Bangladesh? We used to see articles and updates regularly, and wasn’t there even a notice about a potential WCG short-term mission opportunity? Whatever happened?

Yes to all of the above. Sept. 11, 2001, changed more than just New York or even the United States. The atmosphere in overwhelmingly Islamic Bangladesh changed decidedly as well. Incidents of violence against Christians increased. Several major Christian churches in the capital, Dhaka, were burned in anti-Christian riots. The Bangladesh constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but that is almost impossible to enforce in the face of the onslaught of fundamentalist Muslim forces at work in the country.

Rod Matthews, regional director, and I postponed returning to Bangladesh this past year not so much out of concern for our safety, but because our presence in the rural areas, where we stand out, and word travels at speed-of-mouth, can cause our brethren to be endangered by our presence. They become targets.

You can appreciate the added difficulty that our brethren face in openly sharing the good news of Christ’s kingdom. Even before 9-11 it was difficult. Several of our gospel workers were hospitalized in intensive care, and our main training center and largest building narrowly escaped being burned to the ground by Muslim extremists.

They came with gasoline in hand, and began to pour it around the foundation when the neighbors rose up and demanded that they leave that building alone! These people, they said, are hurting no one.

John Biswas, director of the Bengali Evangelical Association, and his team have had to be creative to look for effective avenues whereby they can bring Christ to their neighbors in a way that can be sustained. Plans have been developing for some time.

I decided to wait until they became a reality before announcing the initiative or recommending the project when people ask about investing effectively in the mission of the church. But now is the time, and in my opinion, it just doesn’t get much better than this.

The idea is to connect with Hindu and Muslim Bangladeshis in such a way that they can see for themselves the love of God at work in their midst. Let grace have its work, thereby enabling misinformed people, often hostile to the religion of Christianity, to turn from hostile to peaceful. It is then that the gospel can be heard and understood.

We had the goat program. Many of you participated and sponsored one or more goats.

That program was helpful and bore good fruit. But situations constantly change. The program had to be curtailed because it started to create jealousy in those who did not receive a goat, and sometimes from the local village headman, who felt that his influence was being diminished.

As the negative side began to build, John wisely decided to scale down the program so that the gospel benefit already accrued was not undone.

John sought a better way, and I think God helped him see it. John’s wife, Naomi, is a nurse. She realized that there was a huge gap that love could fill. Health care is minimal in rural Bangladesh, which has few hospitals. You either get well or you don’t. Statistically, when a sick person is given even basic health care, it increases the survival rate by nearly 30 percent.

John, with Naomi’s guidance, developed an outstanding manual on home health care in the Bengali language. It is detailed, simply but profusely illustrated, and professional in every way. John has been working on this manual for more than a year. We gave John the accumulated funds that many of you generously supplied to cover the costs of the initial printing.

John has set up a training program for home healthcare nurses. I waited until he had actually launched the program before sharing this with you. Check out the photos, if you haven’t already. Look at the faces—the joy and the determination. We could use a few of those folks over here! The fruits, obvious from the photos, are good.

The first group of trained workers is now fanning out across that part of the province, going into homes of Muslims and Hindus alike. They will supply initial home healthcare while training family members how to give healthcare to their invalids and infirm.

God has to be smiling on this. It is true religion at its best. In order to make the program truly a part of the fabric of the region, John accepts and trains Muslim, Hindu and Christian healthcare workers. No one can say that this is just a Christian ploy to convert you. In fact the Christian workers are the minority. However, the Christian workers also get help learning to share the gospel in a dignified and thorough manner.

Bangladesh suffers from oppressive poverty. While this would be considered a good works project in this country, it makes a profound impact in Bangladesh. The simple knowledge of how to change the bedding with someone in the bed, or how to bathe and clean a bedfast person, just isn’t available.

A friend of John’s, who happens to be a minister of Parliament in Bangladesh, saw a copy of the home healthcare manual. He was so overwhelmed by its contents that he wanted a copy to show in Parliament later that day. A government minister expressed the government’s interest in the program. John has the foresight to keep the program out of the limelight until it has a chance to bear more fruit.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I am excited about this program. I guess that is because it marries the two critical components of true mission: first, I cannot think of a more quality way to express the true undefiled love of God than to go into the homes of those who revile you, and supply care for their elderly and infirm. That is pure religion, undefiled. Nothing is gained by the workers. Only Christ is glorified.

Second, by those acts of love, Isaiah 40 happens. Easy pathways are made to God. Chasms that could not be crossed, through lack of comprehension of the love of God, become visible in a family’s own home. The obstacles of bigotry and fanaticism are brought low by the humble presence and serving love of the caregiver. While this may still fall short of Mother Teresa, it is definitely in her league.

The work that John has done in Bangladesh has been, in my opinion, one of the most productive and cost-effective efforts that I know. Now, I would say that this gospel effort will possibly eclipse anything previously done. If any individuals or church areas are considering where to invest some of the funds that they have dedicated to the Great Commission, I would, especially at this time, ask that you consider directing them to this effort. It costs several dollars per manual.

We are trying to set up additional training centers to expand the program. They cost several thousand dollars each. A volunteer doctor from the Southern California area has donated her time to be the primary program instructor. John tells me that when it’s all said and done, it costs about $80 to train a nurse. That’s four movies with popcorn and drinks for two people.

You can see in the accompanying photos the first group of nurses in training. What a lovely, dedicated and competent-looking group of young women. I wish that we could ask for volunteers and send some of our own over to work beside them. Unfortunately, the presence of significant numbers of Westerners in the project would cause it to be held at arms length by the Muslim community.

I told John that I would tell the brethren about this incredible undertaking, and that I would solicit first and foremost focused prayer for the direction of the program and the protection of the participants. I also told him that I would let the brethren know that this undertaking could use some help getting started. We will keep you posted as this program of love is spread across the physically flooded but spiritually parched place called Bangladesh.

HOME HEALTH CARE MANUAL—
Developed by John Biswas and his wife, Naomi.

HOME HEALTH CARE WORKERS—Women learn
basic nursing care skills, which gives them a means
of employment and self-sufficiency.

HEALTH CARE TRAINING—Trainees learn to measure
blood pressure.

TRAINING MANUAL—Woman follows home
health care manual to learn medical skills.

Canadian ministers
meet at Entheos

By Bill Hall

Editor, Northern Light magazine

CALGARY, Alberta, Canada—Around 50 ministers and wives attended the annual Canadian ministry conference Aug. 20 to 24 at the Entheos retreat center outside of Calgary. Entheos means "in God," and it was an appropriate venue for the conference, which had a theme of "Tend My Soul."

Ross Jutsum of State of the Heart Music Ministry opened the conference by leading worship, which was followed by a communion service.

Michael Feazell, director of Denominational Publications for the Worldwide Church of God, led discussions on various doctrinal matters as well as what it means to be "conformed to the image of Christ" and the ramifications this has on humanity and the church.

Gary Moore, Canadian director, gave an update on the state of the Worldwide Church of God in Canada. Mr. Moore examined the Canadian denominational vision statement and posed the question as to whether the Canadian church is achieving its vision.

Mr. Moore updated the ministry on progress being made in governance issues and in particular the progress being made in the setting up and operation of the Canadian National Church Board, which is made up of nonemployee church members from across Canada. This independent board provides accountability and direction for the Canadian director and Canadian denomination.

He also reviewed the fiscal model for Canadian congregations whereby local congregations are empowered to set goals and use the resources they have available to them.

Finally, he asked if we are doing all we can to make disciples. He observed that our long-term issue is not our survival as a denomination, but how well we participate in the commission of Jesus Christ. Our growth and survival will be an off-shoot of our participation.

Owen Willis, pastor of the Halifax, Digby, Sydney and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, congregations, introduced attendees to the work of Reconciliation Ministries and in particular how this might be a tool in helping heal the rifts between various cultural groups in Canada.

Bill Hall, editor of Northern Light, the Canadian denominational publication, looked at the purpose of the publication. He then sought input on the direction of the magazine and some possible themes for future issues.

Margaret Gibb, president of Women Alive (www.womenalive.org), spent a day with the women at the conference discussing 10 needs of ministers’ wives and issues of personal spirituality. She concluded her day with a combined session where she examined the stages of leadership.

The last full day of the conference was facilitated by Phil Zylla, principal of ACTS Seminaries at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia. His 17 years in pastoral ministry, as well as other personal life experiences, enabled him to speak on the stressors in ministry and the formation of a personal spiritual development plan. In his presentation he asked two questions, "Are you prepared to be 100 percent God’s person through your ministry?" and "Are you ‘in love’ with Jesus?"

The conference concluded with a worship service, communion and a farewell barbecue.

Attendees at Lake Louise [Photos by Averil Hall]

Mike Feazell

From left: Perc Burrows, Bill Hall, Ross Jutsum and David Sheridan.

Gary Moore

KICKOFF MEETING—Russell Duke, Ambassador
Center director, conducts a meeting for Ambassador
Center students at Azusa Pacific University, Sept. 7.
Right: photos of some of the new Ambassador Center
students in 2001 and 2002. [Photos by Thomas C. Hanson]

Delyse Center
Cincinnati, Ohio
Psychology

Jonathan Gross
Rochester, New York
Biblical Studies

Micah Royal
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Master of Divinity

Nathan Smith
Pasadena, California
Media

Mike Williams
Rochester, New York
Biblical Studies

Remy Zebrowski
San Jose, California
Communications

Louisiana youth camp
reaches out to community

By Joy Cryer

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana— More than 125 campers, ages 7 to 15, and 53 staff spent five days at Fontainebleau State Park, July 12 to 17. Nearly three fourths of the campers were not from our fellowship, but came with a WCG friend or relative or heard of our camp through brochures that were mailed or hand-delivered by members.

Melvin Howard, a member of Volunteers of America and a Little League coach of inner city youths in New Orleans, heard of our camp and brought 14 boys ages 8 to 10. These boys were able to attend camp because of donations from businesses and individuals who helped pay their registration fee. He mentioned what little opportunities these youths have to participate in any kind of positive, wholesome activities.

Even though camp began the first night with a severe thunderstorm, causing the loss of electric power for several hours, God’s power was evident. After a rousing session of praise and worship by flashlight, campers were divided into groups and played several mixer games.

Nine members of Youth With a Mission joined us again this year serving as counselors. They also led the morning and evening devotionals and one evening performed a drama called "The Chair," which showed how easy it is to get pulled in by the temptations of this world and how important it is to stay close to God.

One of the highlights of camp was the visit of Ashanti Weatherspoon, a former inmate of Angola, a maximum security prison in Louisiana. Ashanti is featured in a filmed documentary called "The Farm," which depicts life at Angola. Ashanti gave a testimony on how he came to Christ while in prison and encouraged the young people to avoid getting mixed up with the wrong crowd and ignoring a relationship with God. Campers and counselors wrote letters to inmates at Angola during camp.

LOUISIANA CAMPERS—One of the boys dorms. [Photo by Amy Walmsley]

Harrisburg has YOU reunion

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania—"Sharing the Love of Jesus Christ" was the focus and theme of the Harrisburg Youth Opportunities United (the WCG’s former youth group) family reunion May 25 and 26.

People arrived from New Jersey, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Canada and one person even chose this time to make a homecoming visit from Russia. The enthusiasm was apparent Saturday evening, May 25, as old friends reminisced. Attendance surpassed 125, which included all ages.

Scott Bogdon, assistant pastor of the Harrisburg congregation and a former YOU basketball coach, was master of ceremonies.

Attendees were invited to the Sunday morning worship service, where Mr. Bogdon gave a sermon titled "Chosen to Share the Love of Jesus Christ."

One attendee said: "We attend an all-black church in North Carolina. Our pastor has been thinking about joining with another church to help the church grow spiritually. My husband said that the love he felt and the unity that flowed through the room laid heavy on his heart. He said the Holy Spirit laid it on his heart to talk to our pastor and ask him to consider joining a congregation that is more diverse!" Lisa Gipe.

Jesus is our
Superhero at preteen
SEP in Washington

By Cheryl L. Solari

LACEY, Washington—A truly animated week of discipleship began Aug. 17 for the preteens of the Summer Educational Program (SEP) Washington’s second session.

Amy Johnson was camp director.

Zipping across the lake on an inner tube or waterskiing, campers aged 7 to 12 enjoyed an action-packed week of fun, learning and fellowship in the Pacific Northwest. Interactive chapels about Christ’s self-sacrificing heroism focused on what it really took to save the world from evil, as campers and staff discovered how "Jesus Is My Superhero," the theme of the camp.

Summer is a time for comic-book blockbusters at theaters, but this time the story of the real Savior held the limelight.

"Our main focus was to present an environment where kids could relate to God in every moment and every aspect," said Katie Richardson, assistant camp director. "We tried to be Jesus to them, and to show them different sides of him that maybe they never knew before. All the while they got to participate in tons of fun activities centered on who God is, what his character is, and what his plan and destiny is for each person."

Camper Aaron Jones discovered God’s plan for his life while attending SEP this year. "When I first came to camp, I knew there was something more," he explained during the closing ceremonies. "But I didn’t fully believe it.... I feel there has been a door opened to me, and I can finally pass through that door to God."

In a particularly moving illustration of Jesus’ sacrifice, Aaron’s dorm constructed three large crosses from tree limbs, where they gathered secretly on the last morning, before other campers awoke, to imitate the worship of a persecuted church. Dormmates at that service laid stones at the foot of the cross to symbolize their sins and their acceptance of Christ into their lives.

Aaron and fellow campers Lisa Anderson, Jennifer Chaffee and Cody Parman were baptized that afternoon. Several others decided to be baptized once they returned to their own church areas. In all, more than 15 of the 34 campers expressed that they had accepted Jesus into their lives, before or during the course of the camp. And as always, the experience turned out to be a life-changing event for the staff as well. The night before campers returned home, teen staff member Cassandra Mason led a dozen staff down to the lake for her own moonlight baptism.

The concluding chapel service included a photo slide show and video skits from each dorm, dramatizing the call for purity, love and faith in the life of a young believer. Interview-style testimonials from newly committed campers and a service by Chuck Downey, assistant chaplain, emphasized that human heroes not only believe in Jesus, but tell others about him as well.

Cody Parman baptism

Katie and Dave Richardson and Aaron Jones

Jennifer Chaffee baptism

Lisa Anderson baptism

Dorm with cross they constructed. [Photos by Amy Johnson]

SEP Connecticut--
the heart of a champion

By Steve Botha
Camp director

PLYMOUTH, Connecticut—Seventy-two campers and 54 volunteer staff members took part in the Connecticut Summer Educational Program (SEP) Aug. 18 to 24.

God blessed us with an exceptionally wonderful camp this year. The delicious food, prepared under the able supervision of Dale and Sybil Martin, was once again a big hit. Campers enjoyed a variety of activities: archery, arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, volleyball, flag football, soccer, riflery, C.O.P.E (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience), which includes team building and low and high course elements of a challenge and ropes course.

The real blessing was the spiritual dimension of camp. This regional youth camp has been in existence for more than 20 years and even though our Lord Jesus was certainly present during those years, this year campers and staff acknowledged his presence in a special way.

Our daily chapel services were superb, with worship led by campers and staff under the guidance of James Newby, pastor of the Chicago Northwest and Joliet, Illinois, churches. The discussions following the chapel messages were truly meaningful.

Young and old responded to the theme of camp—The Heart of a Champion. Everyone seemed to acknowledge that the real Champion of champions is the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit seemed to touch every heart in camp.

It was difficult to choose awards for campers of the sessions as many of the campers exemplified the theme of camp in their attitudes and conduct. However, the awards were presented to Jasmine Broadnax, preteen girl camper of the session; Jason Ekonomakos, preteen boy camper of the session; Ruth Anne John, teen girl camper of the session; and Antoine Elliott, teen boy camper of the session.

Staff and campers alike shared their joy of celebrating the grace of God at SEP Connecticut.

HIGH WALL—Jason
Ekonomakos makes it
down the high wall.

HIGH ROPES—Ruth Anne
John gets ready to go
up high ropes course.

CAMPERS AND STAFF [Photos by Peter Ekonomakos]

PRAISE AND WORSHIP—Teens
lead worship.

Campers Transformed
at SEP Saskatchewan

By Eric Warren

MOOSE MOUNTAIN PROVINCIAL PARK, Saskatchewan, Canada—Staff began arriving Aug. 17 for our seven-day Summer Educational Program (SEP) Saskatchewan camp at our new location, Kenosee Lake Bible Camp in Moose Mountain Provincial Park, about two hours southeast of Regina.

On Sunday, Natalie Cherry of Yorkton, our program director, had staff available to meet campers and their parents and give tours of the camp while explaining our camp purposes.

Of the 53 teen campers and 27 preteens from Saskatchewan and Manitoba, 25 percent were not from our denomination. We had 20 more campers than last year. We had three baptisms at the end of camp.

Alan Hart of Regina was head counselor, ministering to the counselors while counseling a dorm of junior campers. Saskatoon Pastor Colin Wallace was the assistant director, and led a high-energy all-terrain biking program through the rugged ski trails.

Our theme was Transform, taken from Romans 12:1-2. In past years campers had learned to pray and share together in groups, but many had not learned to do it alone, which is crucial for the times between church and events the rest of the year.

Each of our Real Time morning sessions were focused on one spiritual discipline. Lindsay Bradford, Matt Feakes, Colin Wallace and Terry Marner showed how the Holy Spirit transforms the way we think through prayer, Bible study, fasting and meditation.

The theme continued in our late afternoon Life Time sessions. Colin Wallace, Lindsay Bradford, Gary Clarke, Janaya Teetaert and Nat and Mary Ross challenged our thinking on the topics of How to Say Sorry, Making Good Decisions, Depression, Why God Wants Sex Saved for Marriage and Good and Bad Relationships.

Of particular note was the session on depression, delivered by Gary Clarke, director of Education for the Canadian Mental Health Association in Saskatchewan. As a former successful businessman and teacher, he was snatched from a suicide pact at age 51. His moving testimony and demystifying of depression hit a cord with many.

Much of the camp was in tears as they listened, in some cases awakened to their own plight or that of a loved one. Our young people are learning that it is OK to admit their struggles rather than masking them behind the guise of having it all together. A great deal of healing, crying and praying occurred through much of the rest of the evening.

Ken Teetaert’s load of multimedia equipment made sure the presentations came through loud and clear. Worship was led by Wayne Teetaert, the Holy Water Boys, Sisters of Mercy and guest musicians from Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba.

Activities included swimming, food preparation, biking, canoeing, a team building wilderness rescue challenge, arts and crafts, waterskiing, basketball, reflection time and beach volleyball.

Richard Gillis piloted a new music program for band students that we hope will become an important part of camp in coming years. Mary Hart was in charge of food preparation.

Our prayer is that the campers would go home and be inspired to use the spiritual disciplines, to Transform their thinking as challenged by the Holy Spirit.

POOL PARTY—Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Dillon, South Carolina,
young people gather for a back to school pool party Aug. 11 after several
of them were baptized. From left: Pastor Greg Williams, Anita, Ashley,
John and Jamel Wilson, Doris and Jamie Davis and Joshua and Julie Averitt.
Baptized that day were Doris and Jamie Davis, Ashley Wilson and her
mother, Dorothy (not pictured), Jamel Wilson and Joshua Averitt.
[Photo by Al Averitt]

Update on Sale of Campus

Church conducts
listening meetings

By Mathew Morgan

September was a busy month for the property sale team. We worked diligently on the selection of a master planner-architect, met with interested citizens, Pasadena city staff and political representatives as part of an active listening campaign and worked with financial consultants to consider the church’s financial opportunities and constraints afforded by the exciting new residential neighborhood planned on the Ambassador campus.

Representatives from the church and SheaHomes, master development consultant, interviewed a select group of architects and planners. The finalists, responding to a request for proposals, presented their qualifications, time schedules for completion of the master design, fee requirements and their interpretation of Pasadena’s architectural character to the selection committee.

The architects also suggested ideas for blending public input, market forces and superior design with the existing award-winning grounds to produce an exceptional new neighborhood. The committee is focusing on two candidates. When the final selection is made the architect will join the church and Shea in the ongoing listening phase described below.

The church and Shea are engaged in an active listening campaign designed to hear suggestions and concerns about the new neighborhood being planned on the Ambassador campus. Input will be gathered from a variety of sources throughout Pasadena and considered as the final development plan is formulated.

First, a series of small meetings will be conducted with individuals, neighborhood groups, elected officials, city staff, civic organizations, business owners and others. Next, a large public meeting will be scheduled allowing all interested parties a chance to be heard. Public comments received at these meetings will be considered as a development plan for the campus is finalized.

The next step will be a public scoping meeting. This meeting will be conducted in accordance with California law under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, and will provide the public opportunity to comment on the specific development plan presented.

As part of the first listening phase, deputies representing the mayor and other elected Pasadena city council representatives from throughout the city toured the Ambassador campus to learn more about the property and the church’s plan for it.

Bernie Schnippert, church treasurer, led the tour along with Bob Yoder, vice president of community development for Shea. A lunch meeting followed where the deputies asked questions and offered helpful suggestions. This group represents an important audience in the city since the mayor and city council will vote on the final development plan when complete.

Bob Yoder and I also attended a meeting conducted by councilman Steve Madison, the elected official representing the district encompassing the Ambassador campus. The meeting provided an opportunity to meet with and hear suggestions from neighbors.

The article below appeared in the Pasadena Star-News, Thursday, Aug. 29.

Church seeks
public input on
property plans

By Mary Schubert

Staff Writer

PASADENA—The owners of the Ambassador College property, on the verge of hiring an architect, have begun soliciting public input on how best to develop the former campus and a related property in Old Pasadena.

The Worldwide Church of God hired SheaHomes, a residential developer, last month to be a consultant on the project. A long-debated plan by Irvine developer Legacy Partners to put 1,700 multifamily homes on the properties fell through in April, and the church has been regrouping since then.

The goal this time around is to come up with a development that will be embraced by Pasadena residents and city leaders because it will be crafted with considerable input from them.

"We’re very aware of the mistakes that [Legacy Partners] made, and we don’t intend to make them again," said Bernard Schnippert, director of finance and planning for the Worldwide Church of God.

"We’re very sensitive to the design issue, the traffic issue and the density issue," he said. "The final design is going to have to be pleasing on all those levels, and the Legacy design was not."

To that end, the church has embarked on what it calls a "listening" campaign, a community outreach effort, first to local civic groups and then to the general public in meetings that will be widely publicized.

Ambassador College covers about 34 acres, bordered by Green Street, Orange Grove and Del Mar boulevards, and St. John Avenue. That land known for its lush gardens and many old, historic buildings is often referred to as the "west campus."

The church also owns 14 acres in Old Pasadena, known as the "east campus," roughly bordered by Green, Del Mar, Pasadena and De Lacey avenues. Those buildings have long been empty, and tentative plans call for a "transit-oriented urban village" to be built there.

"We’re looking for a tasteful design that’s able to emphasize the urban character of the east campus and the garden beauty and cultural heritage of the west campus, and do so with a density that’s appropriate," Schnippert said.

Members of the West Pasadena Residents Association, a homeowners group that represents the neighborhoods near Ambassador College, will continue monitoring the proposals especially for the former campus.

The Legacy Partners project "was way too dense and way too intense a usage. You couldn’t see the gardens from Orange Grove or Green Street," said WPRA President Vince Farhat.

"It should be compatible with the density and scale of the surrounding neighborhood," he said. "We understand and accept that the church will do a much more dense development on the east campus.

"We want to give the church the space and the time they need to come up with a plan," Farhat said. "We need to keep an open mind until they have something concrete to show us."

Reprinted by permission of the Pasadena Star-News.

Update from Finance & Planning

August income
returns to 2001 levels

By Ronald Kelly

I’m happy to report that August contributions came in just over $1.62 million. That’s within about $30,000 of the August 2001 income of $1.65 million. Our July donations were down about eight percent from the previous year, so coming back to nearly even is indeed pleasant news to report.

As you will see from the accompanying chart, our total donation income for the year is almost $13 million for the first eight months. Added to that, we have had other funds and revenues totaling about $4 million, bringing the total useable funds for the year to $17 million. Comparing those totals to the previous year, we are down less than one percent from the first eight months of 2001.

As I have mentioned numerous times in this column, I get a great deal more excited about using the word increase rather than words such as less than or decrease. I feel good about the total funds you have so generously given during this current year to the work of our church.

As you know, we had to reorganize the Pasadena sales project when Legacy Partners withdrew in late April after about three years of planning. Costs are attached that we had not anticipated when we prepared the 2002 budget. Thankfully those funds have been carefully planned to maximize the value of the project and limit the expenses of the sale team, and in a technical sense those expenses are recouped when the sale is completed.

Also, as I’m sure you all know, we have chosen to maintain the campus at an appropriate level so as to maximize the value of the property. Occasionally we receive letters that suggest we should let the campus grow up in weeds and stop spending money on it.

However, mowing lawns is only a small part of the expenses. We also have to pay taxes, and for utilities, security and minimal custodial services, and administrative costs for appropriate preservation of this facility until the sale is completed. Expenses for campus maintenance and the sale are wise and prudent investments in the financial future of the church.

As 2002 winds down, I want to thank you so much for your continued financial support of the church. Words alone cannot express our appreciation, but words are about all we have in the WN, so a hearty thank you for all you do.

Statement of Operating Income and Expenses for
WCG for the Month Ended Aug. 31, 2002

                                                    For the Month             For the Year-to-Date

Income

    Mail Income                                   $ 1,626,000                 $ 12,929,000

    Other income                                     (156,000)                     1,313,000

        Subtotal                                         1,470,000                   14,242,000

    Gain on sale of SEP Orr                               $ 0                  $ 1,336,000

    Income from Legacy

        deposit forfeiture                                        0                     1,439,000

            Subtotal                                                 0                     2,775,000

            Total income                             1,470,000                    17,017,000

Expenses                                               2,691,000                   20,350,000

Net gain (loss) to bank reserves         $ (1,221,000)                 $ (3,333,000)

Wills and trusts

Many members have requested information on how best to make a gift to the Worldwide Church of God, either during their lifetime or upon death through wills, trusts or other means.

If you want to receive information regarding such gifts, the Legal Department of the church is available to aid you in this regard without cost or obligation. Please write Legal Office, Worldwide Church of God, Box 111, Pasadena, California, 91123.

Bible Study

Announcing the King:
a study of Luke 1:1-38

By Michael Morrison

Luke begins his book about Jesus with a preface that describes his research methods. His introduction (all one sentence in Greek) is similar